I'm frightened by those who don't see it

The world is weird, of course I don't need to be the one to tell you that. I was thinking about the phrase "I'm down" this morning. Or "I'm out", both of these being phrases that I frequently use. But Now consider the expresssion being down and out. In this situation down is not a positive term. When I use the phrase I'm down it's because I'm down with the situation, I am wanting it to happen. Maybe I just like negative sounding words.

On another topic, I often think about race. Like black, white, yellow, etc. I don't know why I think about it so often but it's just something very interesting. I totally believe that racism is out there, and it's most evident in situations that are not negative. What I mean by that is stereotyping is often done towards a racial group. I also think about how there are many groups working towards empowering members of a certain ethnicity. Like "black women against abortion". Why does it have to specify what kind of people are in a group. I feel like this re-inforces the sterotypes that people do work hard to break. Many people also talk about being proud of who you are and of your heritage, and by doing this you are again working against the same thing you are fighting for which I believe is equality. By labelling yourself I believe you are placing a certain value upon yourself. I don't think that there every will be a fairness between ethnicities. I think this is coming up because of a debate on cbc about a song about a down syndrome baby was nominated for an emmy this weekend, and there were people to (obviously) took some issue with this. What I like about family guy is that it's keeping racism out in the open. I think when we can laugh at our differences and have them become more familar it makes a bigger impact, and it's better when it's something that everyone is able to laugh about. At least they don't pick on one single group.

I don't really know how to conclude this kind of statement. I still believe that everyone should be treated fairly. I'm not going to give an different consideration who you are. If you are a jerk you are a jerk, not because of what colour your skin is.


And now for something completely different.

I always feel weird when someone is confirming something with you, or you're checking off a list. Like what is an acceptable word to say, I usually go with a "yup" or "mmhmm", I've heard "ok", "yes" and a variety of other things. I always end up mixing it up, and I think it is weird that I've mixed things up, like do people notice. I just hate saying the same word repeatedly. I wish I could just do a grunt and everyone did. And the word always sounds like there's a little lilt of a question mark at the end?

I tremble

So I've always wondered when listening to the radio, why on earth nickleback gets played. I do not know a single person that likes them. Not one single one of my friends would voluntarily listen to an entire song. I've always wondered who it is that keeps requesting them, or that style of music. (others like daughtry, or whatever sheit people listen to). So I was expressing this at work the other day, and it turns out my new office manager is a fan, like enough to buy the CD, and she keeps threatening me by making me have to listen to it.

So I figured there must be a reason for this. I think it's because of the CRTC's commitment to keeping canadian radio canadian. I forget what percentage of the music has to be from canadian artists but this is the only explaination I can think of. Radio stations obviously want to play music that people are going to listen to, and I think people for some reason would rather hear a song that is by an artist that they are familiar with. It makes me frustrated when you play a song that sounds just like something that you could here on the radio, but because it's by someone that is not famous it's not going to be given the same chance. This is something that really bothers me as someone that does not generally follow main stream music....At the same time, I don't want everyone to listen to the same stuff I do.

Another thing. I guess I have not realized how many people read this blog. (HUNDREDS!!! just kidding) But seriously, leave a comment, let me know you are here. It's very inspiring!

jamesterday, all my troubles seemed so james away

The title describes a song I once heard a friend sing upon a jolly little trip across the pond to england. When I was in grade 12 I had the opportunity to go on this trip with my class and it was the greatest experience ever. Now most of you will not understand the james quote. The inside joke about missing James who happened to be a boy in our class that was in fact not on the trip. The running joke then became "Hey James look out for that car?", or "Is Everyone here? Where's James?" I just wanted those who read my blog that went on that trip (manny this is you) to remember, and for myself in many years as well. This kind of came up because I heard the song yesterday while my mother and I were at "the river barge festival" at the forks. Simply put, some musicians on a barge in the harbour. It was really neat though. We first heard chic gamine whom my mother really loves. Then the symphony was on and part of their performance included some beatles songs. Really neat



(sorry this is not from the barge festival, I just wanted yall to hear them.

England actually works as a nice transition to what I want to talk about. A few weeks back we got a free preview of sentanta sports, which is the best channel to watch english premier league, and it's just a great football channel. However, there was one night they were broadcasting hurling. You may think, Danielle, why did you want to watch someone puke. But alas it is not upchucking for and hour and a half, but alas it is a legit sport, played in ireland. Consequently, the first game we were watching was commentated in gaelic. Best language EVER. I don't think that you could ever be mad in that language. It sounds like a more sophisticated baby talk. And so happy-go-lovely. Anyways I would describe this sport as a combination of football (soccer), lacross, field hockey, football, rugby, handball, tennis with an irish brawl. Pretty much a free for all. It's played on a field set up like a soccer field, with two goals at the end that have two upright posts that a small ball can be sent into. My father and I also didn't happen to have any idea of what the rules are, so that made things much more exciting. I actually looked them up on wikipedia the next day. Here's a film to describe better what I'm talking about




By the way, helmets were only just made mandetory, like 2007 or maybe even later
I would so love to go to one of these games

10th floor please

So I have wanted to go to ten spa for pretty much all summer after an experience with my mother a few years ago. I've learned that the spa lifestyle is one I'd really like to be a part of, except the financial constraints really get in the way. I needed to get in there so my brilliant idea...massage! That way I could have health care pay for at least part of the costs. I also didn't want to drag any friends down dirt poor road so I just went by myself today. It lived up to my expectations.

Some lessons learned...
- I love steam rooms. I love the feeling of just sweating things out. I prefer steam to sauna because the smell is so much better.

- A lot of body products you buy at the store are of tasty but simulated scents. At the spa everything is natural smelling, like herbs and stuff. It's weird how you would never think that an herb you cook with could also be used in your massage lotion.

- I had a naked experience. I went into the steam room and there was a lady with her business fully on display, did I look yes of course, it was right in front of me. I did not feel awkward though. I let her catch a little skin to let her know it was alright and then I just shut my eyes and relaxed. I did also make sure not to make eye contact.

- The massage was beyond any massage I have ever had. Hot towels were used on my back and after he was finished he put on Japanese mint oil and it made it all numb and tingly. He then moved on to giving me a foot massage and you all probably don't know this, but that is a weak spot for me. I was having such a tough time focusing because the mint oil was good enough on it's own. I nearly lost my breathe. I also had on a sleep mask because I was facing up and it was weird because there were so many different sensations.

Please, someone bring me again!

It's not just a computer, it's a lifestyle

I am a mac.

Thursday of this week was pretty awesome for me. After work I went with Karina and we got my new hair extensions, then she came over and we watched real world which was lovely. Then after she left and my dad got home my mother says to me "we need to have a talk". I am freaking out at this point, I'm like what have I done? What is going to happen? And my dad says to go get my computer, I had a bit of an inkling that something good was going to happen so I didn't say "But dad, mom's computer is right there on the table" And then they told me about my brand spanking new shiny mac that was in their closet. I didn't cry because I was just to shocked. I'm so happy. It's just so out of the blue. It's just a strange coincidence because I was talking to people at work about how much I'm not spoiled, it's not true at all. Then another coincidence...about half an hour latermy mother was on her facebook and apparently my uncle is taking old unwanted laptops to africa. That was posted about the time I got my laptop!!!

So in terms of me being spoiled, that brings me to another point. Yesterday I was working overtime at work to make a couple extra bucks, and that overtime took place standing in a parking lot outside of le chateau on ellice waiting for people to pay to go to the bomber game. It was just terrible. It was pouring rain for about an hour and a half (starting at 3:30) when I got there and it warmed up thank goodness but I was still wet until I got home and took off my stuff. The coolest part was getting to know some of the attendants, who we all at the office assume are dumbasses because of the silly mistakes they make. It's weird how they are apparently 75% something other than caucasian, yet no one in the office is of another race except one chinese guy.

After all the cars had parked I just spent some time schwatzing with a girl who was 23 but had moved here from sudan. She spoke very good english and I couldn't believe it was only 3 years ago that she had moved. She asked me questions about myself and vice versa, but I wondered after a few moments whether or not I was sounding really snooby. I think that's something I really need to watch for. I don't think that's the impression I want to give off, although I probably am sometimes. I just like nice things! At the same time I also wonder if perhaps I am judging because she is of a different ethnicity than me and of a different experience and perhaps she doesn't relate but it's ok that she doesn't. I don't even for a second think that I am better than her.

totally forgto

Another two-a-day post.

SAID THE WHALE WAS SO GOOD. I forgot to mention there was one guy who was enjoying it to the max. The single funniest dancer at that kind of show. I was worried he was possibly going to through out a shoulder. The dance consisted of sort of skipping on one spot and swinging the arms back jerkingly, It's really not something that can be easily described in words. I do need to mention that it helped to look away as so not to laugh the entire concert

talking about myself again...big surprise

So as mentioned before I am working at the brazil pavillion. I have had a few moments to learn about myself. To set the stage, I don't know anyone that works there. I jumped into it completely unknowing as to what I would be doing or what would be happening. Why? This summer I wanted to make it a great summer. Not just sit around and do nothing. Some of my friends have been ind of AWOL so I have taken it upon myself to work hard and not let that get me down, so I have been pretty busy. So at folklorama I have no of these pre-whatever thoughts about me so I could be whatever kind of person I wanted. I realized though that people probably think I have a pretty a-type personality. I never really considered myself a hard worker, but being here I found that I have been working pretty hard, and I feel myself getting frustrated when others (including the co-ordinator for the food area in which I am working) are not staying on top of things. I guess I just feel satisfaction in doing a good job, which is weird because I have never really considered myself a very hard worker, not that I'm a slacker, I just don't think that the perception of how people see me. A lot of people there as mentioned in a previous post, are dancingly inclined. I feel so akward when I dance. I really don't think that I am an outgoing person although I may have been a little bit more so as a kid. I'm not one to make noise in a crowd of many. I also don't think that I necessarily care what people think of me, but at the same time I do want to give people an accurate impression of myself. I just don't think I'm a fun person. I am just not really good at it. I know it's not what you may consider a "skill" persay, but I think I just have a tough time letting go of reservations I may have. I do also wish that I was better at being louder, but I do hate it when people are obnoxious and in people's faces so maybe I just really worry about being that person...I don't know....Maybe I concern myself less with what people think of me as opposed to people I don't want people to think I am. I guess this is just another step in "discovering who I am as a person"

samba sunday

So first things first, I have come to the conclusion that I am going to need to have my own dirty dancing moment.
Clearly I'm white. Clearly I am not brazilian, and in no way do I resemble one. As you may know I have been volunteering at the brazil folklorama pavillion. It was a random decision but I have really been working hard at making this a great summer and so I thought I would do something that I have never done before. So I have been in the kitchen the past two days and will continue to do so the rest of my week. Mostly so far i have been scooping gelati, which is quite painful. I had to take a piankiller and heat on my hand this morning!!! (That was after 7 hours of scooping). So the dancing in the show is incredible. We have these samba dancers that are in the full carnival outfits and it makes me wish I was brazilian SOO badly. I guess I'd have to deal with poverty and a poor economy, but at least I'd be able to dance. I think as someone coming from a house where I NEVER danced as a child other than ballet lessons or other wise, but it seems like something that you are supposed to do as a person. I know the whole dance like no one is watching expression, but that's not something I feel I'm very good at. I just really feel I have no skill as a dancer whatsoever. I can move and groove nicely with the rest of them, but nothing compared to these brazlilians. And the men have such amazing bodies and the way they move them makes my jaw drop. YAY...four more nights!!



On another note I think there was a fear factor marathon on TV today.....man is that an old show!